Broom construction



April 17, 1962 M. w. PHARO 3,029,456

BROOM CONSTRUCTION Filed March 28, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mvzmoa: ME RRITT W. PHARO ATTYS.

g Q o) 72 April 7, 1962 M. w. PHARO 3,029,456

BROOM CONSTRUCTION Filed March 28, 1960 FIEA 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR'. MERRITT W. PHARO ATTYS.

Unite States Patented Apr. 17, 1962 3,029,456 BROOM CONSTRUCTION Merritt W. Pharo, 321 Belmont Ave, Haddonfieltl, NJ. Filed Mar. 28, 1960, Ser. No. 18,182 Claims. (Cl. 180) The present invention relates to a broom construction and has particular application to broom wheels for street sweepers and the like.

The usual mechanized street sweeper includes a rear sweeper broom which sweeps the accumulated debris from the street or other surface into a hopper or other receptacle in the unit. In addition to the rear sweeper broom, side or gutter brooms are provided at each side of the unit which are power-driven to sweep the debris from the sides of the unit into the path of the rear sweeper broom. The conventional broom construction consists of bristles permanently mounted in blocks mounted on the broom wheels, or permanently mounted in the periphery of the broom wheel itself. The broom wheels in street sweepers are subject to rapid wear and require repeated replacements. The repeated replacement of the broom wheel substantially increases the down-time of the sweeper unit, it being borne in mind that hand-caning of a broom wheel consumes from five to seven hours, and mechanical recaning is both time-consuming and expensive.

In addition, in order to provide proper sweeping action, it is desirable to maintain the projecting lengths of the bristles within a range to produce optimum sweeping effects. If the bristles project beyond the range, the broom is insufliciently stiff to sweep effectively and if the bristles project less than the range, the broom becomes too stiff to sweep effectively. Under certain conditions, it may be desirable to have a more flexible sweeping action whereas other conditions may require a stiffer sweeping action. With the conventional construction, it is impractical to attempt to accommodate the broom to the particular conditions encountered, since this accommodation would prevail for only a brief period during the useful life of the broom.

With the foregoing in mind, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a broom construction in which the bristles are arranged in bundles and are firmly, but adjustably anchored so that the extent of their projection from the supporting structure, may be varied to control the stiffness of the broom.

The present invention also provides a broom construction which affords substantial longevity to the broom, reducing the frequency of recanings.

The present invention also provides a broom construction in which the bristles are readily removed and replaced without the necessity for time-consuming hand caning or costly mechanical recaning.

All of the objects of the present invention and the various features and details of the construction and operation thereof are more fully set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view with portions broken away illustrating a gutter broom wheel embodying a broom construction in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional View illustrating the means for mounting a bristle bundle in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary views at a reduced scale of companion mounting means included in the wheel;

FIG. 7 is a view in side elevation at a reduced scale of a bristle bundle embodied in and FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of a single bristle of the bristle bundle shown in FIG. 7.

While the invention is universally applicable to mobile sweepers, the illustrated gutter broom wheel is particularly adapted for use at air ports and flying fields. It is extremely important that the runways for jet airplanes be free of debris since the suction created by the jets will suck any debris on the runway into the jet motor. However, care must be exercised when sweeping the runway in order to prevent the creation of sparks which might ignite the jet fuel which may be spilled on'the runway, inasmuch as the jet fuel is highly flammable and dangerous. The present invention provides a brush wheel construction which enables the use of plastic throughout, thereby eliminating the presence of metallic parts which might strike sparks in use.

While the invention is described hereinafter with particular reference to a gutter broom wheel, the invention is equally applicable to rear sweeper brooms and other broom constructions.

Referring now to the drawings, the gutter broom wheel 8 illustrated therein comprises a plurality of bundles 9 of bristles projecting downwardly to sweep an annular area upon rotation of the wheel. The wheel 8 includes a base plate 10, in the present instance of generally circular outline having disposed about its periphery, bristle holders 11, 12, and 13 respectively, arranged in groups of three to mount the bristle bundles for slidable displacement therein. A suitable mounting hub is provided at 25 to mount the wheel 8 on the sweeper unit. The bristle holders 11, 12, and 13 are of generally similar form and cause the working portion or free terminal portions 14 of the bristle bundles 9 as shown in FIG. 2, to project downwardly and outwardly from the broom wheel base plate 10 below the holders. The opposite terminal end portions constitute a reserve portion and lie generally flat over the upper surface of the base plate 10 as indicated at broken lines at 15 in FIG. 2.. Clamp ing means 16 is provided in each bristle holder to anchor the bristle bundles 9 against displacement. It is apparent that by releasing the clamping means 16, the extent of the projection of the working portions 14 of the bristle bundles may be varied.

In order to protect the reserve portion 15 of the bundles 9, and the bristle mounting members 11, 12, and 13 from damage caused by the weather, or by encountering an obstruction, a cover element 20 is provided. The cover element 20 includes a generally flat portion coextensive in outline with the base plate 10 and spaced upwardly therefrom to accommodate the bristle holders 11, 12, and 13. At its outer periphery, the flat portion 21 of the cover element 20 is provided with a downturned flange 22 engaging over the outer periphery of the base plate 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer flange 22 is provided with a series of apertures 23. The apertures 23 register with the clamps 16 of the bristle holders 11, 12, and 13 so that a tool may be inserted through the apertures 23 to release the clamps to enable the bristles to be adjusted in the holders. The cover element 20 is mounted on the base plate 10 by suitable fasteners 24.

In accordance with the invention, the bristle holders 11, 12, and 13 are arranged to provide a relatively Wide swath of the broom. To this end, the respective bristle holders 11, 12, and 13 are positioned at different angles in the base plate 10. For example, the bristle holder 11 may be mounted at an angle of 30 degrees to the vertical, whereas the bristle holder 12 may be mounted at an angle of 21 degrees, and the bristle holder 13 at an angle of 12 degrees, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6.

the present invention;

With reference to FIG. 3, the bristle holders embodied in the gutter broom wheel 8 are tubular in form having a lower straight section 31 and an upper curved section 32 united by a suitable connector 33. The sections 31 and 32 are spaced apart to receive therebetween a clamping element 16, which as shown in FIG. 4, in the present instance, is in the form of an automotive hose clamp. The connector 33 is cut away as indicated at 35 to receive the operating elements 36 of the hose clamp 16.

The lower and upper sections 31 and 32 are retained in their spaced-apart relation by means of a split-ring spacer element of substantially less thickness than the thickness of the lower and upper sections 31 and 32. The spacer element 37 not only serves to maintain the upper and lower sections in proper spacing, but also serves to retain the clamping element 16 in place within the bristle holder without becoming canted and interfering with the passage of the bristles through the tubular holder.

As stated above, the bristle bundle 9 is slidable in the tubular sections 31 and 32, and is clamped in position by the clamping element 16. The curvature of the upper section 32 not only disposes the reserved portion 15 of the bristle bundle generally parallel to the base plate, but also by frictionally engaging and distorting the bundle, assists in the clamping of the bundle by the clamping element 16. By this construction, it is therefore a simple and speedy operation to adjust the lengths of the working portion 14 of the bristles so that the stillness of the broom may be maintained at the optimum vdue by simply releasing the clamps 16 and adjusting the extension of the working portions 14.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the bristle holders 11, 12, and 13 are designed individually to provide the proper angle of the working portions 14 of the bristles so that the bristles in the holders 11 about the periphery of the wheel describe an annular path of a given radius. The bristles in the holders 12 also describe an annular path which is of lesser radius than the path of the bristles in the holders 11 and the bristles in the holders 13 describe a path of smaller radius than the bristles 12, the path of the bristles in the three holders overlapping so that a wide swath is provided. It is to be understood, however, that the bristle holders may be formed precisely the same and the same result accomplished by molding them into the base plate at the dillerent angles required to give the proper swath,

In accordance with the present invention, the bristle bundle 9 is composed of a plurality of individual bristles 41. Preferably, the bristles 41 as shown in PEG. 8 are hexagonal in shape so that when assembled into a bundle, they form a solid mass of bristles. In the present instance, it is contemplated that the bristles are composed of nylon, since such bristles are possessed of a high degree of resistance to abrasion, are long wearing, flexible, and yet of sufficient stiffness to provide a good sweeping action. In order to prevent longitudinal relative displacement between the bristles, the bundle at its reserve end 15, is provided with means for rigidly uniting the individual bristles 41 of the bundle. As shown in FIG. 7, in the present instance, the individual bristles 41 are fused into a solid mass at the reserve terminal end 42 of the bristle bundle 9. The length of the fuse is suificiently short that the fused terminal portion 42 of the bundle will pass through the curved section 32 of the tubular bristle holder. The extremity of the fused portion 42 is beveled as indicated at 44 to facilitate threading of the bundle through the tubular holder when replacing the same after the reserve portion 15 is exhausted. In order to prevent the bundle 9 from inadvertently becoming disenagged from the holder as the fused portion 42 passes through the curved portion 32 of the holder, a groove 43 is formed in the terminal portion 42, of sufficient depth and thickness to receive the hose clamping means 16. Thus, the groove 43 in the terminal portion 42 serves as a locking means engageable with the clamping element to firmly interlock and prevent inadvertent displacement of the bristle bundle 9 from the holder. In this way, the bristle bundle may be used until the groove 43 passes beyond the curved portion 32 of the holder and into engagement with the clamp 16.

When using bristle bundles of nylon in the holder, the bristles remaining for a period of time in the curved portion 32 may assume a set corresponding to the curvature of the portion 32, Therefore, it is desirable to provide the straight section 31 of the holder with a length greater than the usual length of adjustment of the bristles. Thus, if the adjustment is normally less than three inches, the straight portion 31 would be approximately three inches. In this way, during the period between the adjustments, the newly exposed section of the bristle below the bristle holder after each adjustment, would be confined in the straight portion 31 for a period prior to its exposure. Thus, during the period in which the section was held in the straight portion 31 of the tubing, the bristles would assume a straightened condition and would become set in their straight condition.

With the foregoing in mind, it is apparent that the present invention provides an improved broom construction having a facility for adjustment of the stiffness by regulating the extent of projection of the bristles from the holder. The broom is capable of being formed entirely of plastic or other non-spark-producing material, and the broom is supplied with a reserve bristle capacity which may be used step-by-step to a much greater extent than the previous conventional broom construction permits. The wheel construction permits adjustment or replacement of the bristles without removing the cover, and the operation is simplified to an extent that it may be done in the field if desired, or deemed advisable.

As pointed out previously, the present invention is not limited to the use with gutter brooms, but other broom wheels may embody the present invention, with or without the use of a curved portion in the holder and with various types of bristles and clamping devices. While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been herein illustrated and described, it is not intended to limit the invention to such disclosure, but changes and modifications may be made therein and thereto within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Brush construction comprising a base member, a plurality of hollow tubular bristle holders mounted in said base member, a bristle bundle mounted for longitudinal displacement in each tubular holder, said bundle comprising a plurality of bristles projecting at its working end freely from one end of said tubular bristle holder, and terminating at the other terminal end in connection means rigidly uniting all of the bristles of said bundle against relative longitudinal movement, and clamping means cooperable with said brush holder to clamp the bundle therein against longitudinal movement through said holder, each of said tubular bristle holders including a curved section frictionally engaging said bristle bundle and flexing the same to thereby assist said clamping means to clamp said bundle against longitudinal displacement in said tubular member.

2. Brush construction comprising a base member, a plurality of hollow tubular bristle holders mounted in said base member, a bristle bundle mounted for longitudinal displacement in each tubular holder, said bundle comprising a plurality of bristles projecting at its working end freely from one end of said bristle holder and terminating at the other terminal end in connection means rigidly uniting all of the bristles of said bundle against relative longitudinal movement, said connection means at the terminal end of said bundle being of lesser diameter than said tubular member whereby said terminal end is free to pass through said tubular member, clamping means cooperable with said brush holder to clamp the bundle therein against longitudinal movement through said holder, and an interlocking means on said terminal end operable to interlock with said clamping means to firmly lock said bundle against inadvertent displacement from said tubular member.

3. A broom wheel comprising a base member having a generally circular outline, a plurality of bristle holders disposed about the periphery of said base member, each bristle holder comprising a tubular member having a bore open at both ends, a bristle bundle slidably mounted in each bristle holder, each bundle comprising a plurality of bristles projecting at its working end from one end of the bristle holder and terminating at the other end in connection means rigidly uniting all of the bristles of said bundle against relative longitudinal displacement, and a clamping element having open and closed positions associated with each holder, said clamping element operable in the closed position to clamp the bundle at any selected position therein against longitudinal sliding movement through said holder and operable in the open position to afford free longitudinal sliding movement of said bristle bundle through said holder.

4. A broom wheel comprising a fiat base plate having a generally circular outline and operable to rotate about its central axis, a plurality of bristle holders disposed about the periphery of said base plate, each bristle holder comprising a tubular member having a straight bore approximately perpendicular to said base plate and a curved bore connected at one end to said straight bore and disposed substantially parallel to said base plate at its other end, a bristle bundle slidably mounted in each bristle holder, each bundle comprising a plurality of bristles, projecting at its working end from the free end of the straight bore, projecting at its other end from said curved bore substantially parallel to said base plate and overlying the same, and terminating at its other end in connection means rigidly uniting all of the bristlesof said bundle against relatively longitudinal displacement, and a clamping element associated With each holder to clamp the bundle therein against longitudinal sliding movement through said holder, said curved bore frictionally engaging said bundle to assist the clamping means to clamp the bundle against longitudinal displacement in the holder.

5. A brush wheel according to claim 4 wherein said connection means for the bristles at the terminal ends of said bundle comprises a mass of said bristles fused together to form a composite end portion of lesser crosssection than the cross-section of said tubular bristle holders whereby said bristle bundles may be threaded through said holders.

6. A broom wheel according to claim 5 including lockin means at said terminal ends cooperable with said clamping means to lock said bristle bundle against inadvertent outward displacement from said bristle holder upon passage of said lock-in means into engagement with said clamping element.

7. A broom wheel according to claim 4 wherein said clamping element is disposed intermediate said straight and curved sections of said brush holder, and is operable between open and closed positions, being provided with actuating operators projecting outwardly from said holder to operate the same.

8. A broom wheel according to claim 7 including a cover element having a body portion parallel to and spaced above said base plate and terminating at its outer periphery in a down-turned flange co-extensive with and engaging the outer peripheral edge of said base member, said flange having means providing apertures thereabout in registry with each bristle holder and operable to admit an adjusting tool to said actuating operators of the clamping element, whereby the bristle bundles may be released for slidable movement in said bristle holders by operating said clamp through said apertures without removing the cover element.

9. A bristle bundle for a brush wheel having a bristle holder and clamp operable between an open position affording free slidable movement, and a closed position clamping the bristle bundle against bodily longitudinal movement, said bristle bundle comprising a plurality of bristles, means welding or fusing the ends of said bristles into a unitary mass of no greater dimension than the remaining portion of the bristle bundle, and rigidly interconnecting said bristles at one end against relative longitudinal displacement, and lock-in means at said one end cooperable with the clamp in its closed position to prevent inadvertent displacement of'said bundle from said holder and clamp.

10. For a brush wheel having a bristle holder and clamp, a bristle bundle comprising a plurality of bristles, one end of the bristle bundle having the ends of the bristles fused into a unitary mass of no greater transverse cross section than the remaining portion of the bristle bundle, the bristles thereby being rigidly interconnected at one end against relative longitudinal displacement, and a circumferential groove formed in said unitary mass at said one end, cooperable with the clamp to prevent inadvertent displacement of said bundle from said holder and clamp.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

